Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Liu Wenying's breath hitched.

She looked up and gazed into the room, her eyes falling on Ye'er in Old Madam Pei's arms. Her eyes were filled with longing, and she sighed deeply.

"I used to say that once Zhiyao had a child, I would transfer you over there to take good care of her."

Don't end up like me, struggling to manage the household while pregnant, with no one to lend a helping hand. It made me sick.

She took a breath, and her tone became wistful.

"I never imagined that Zhiyao's long-awaited child would end like this."

"She and I grew up together and were very close friends. When we married into the Pei family one after the other, it was a double celebration, and we were full of joy and looked forward to supporting each other in the future."

Before the New Year was even over, she had already passed away.

As Wen Jingshu spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

"After Zhiyao was divorced, the Lin family could not keep her and sent her to a villa in the countryside."

"Before she left, she gave me a letter that mentioned you."

Liu Wenying curtsied, "Madam, this servant—"

Wen Jingshu raised her hand to interrupt her, "You don't need to be alarmed."

"One of you was my best friend, and the other was my trusted and nurtured deputy. You are both my flesh and blood."

Regarding Zhiyao's matter, I am not entirely clear on the rights and wrongs, but I do know that you are probably not wrong.

Liu Wenying was flattered and surprised, never expecting that the First Madam trusted her to this extent.

"Don't let Zhiyao's gentle appearance fool you; she's actually quite competitive. Sometimes she wants to prove herself, but she's also reluctant to share her feelings with others."

Wen Jingshu sighed and blamed herself, saying, "If I had noticed her abnormality earlier and advised her, perhaps she wouldn't have gone astray."

Suddenly, Liu Wenying no longer regretted her efforts to save Lin Zhiyao when she went through a miscarriage that day.

At the time, I didn't regret it. As a mother myself, I could understand even better.

But now she felt more fortunate, at least what she did made the First Madam feel less guilty.

A few stray hairs were blown by the wind, and Wen Jingshu gathered them up. "Alright, it's the New Year, let's not talk about this. Let's go back."

Liu Wenying nodded, took Wen Jingshu's arm, and was about to turn around and go back.

Suddenly, a servant announced from the courtyard gate.

"Greetings, sir! Second master! Third master!"

The two turned their heads at the same time and saw three tall figures walking side by side into the courtyard.

Dark black is somber and restrained, moon white is elegant and refined, and bright red is flamboyant and striking.

They were all stunningly beautiful, each with their own unique charm, and equally captivating.

Simply by standing there, she exudes an aura of brilliance, adding dazzling splendor to the festive atmosphere of the courtyard.

Before long, Duke Yu and his wife arrived.

The time was just right. Candles were lit in Mingxi Hall, filling the room with light, and the New Year's Eve family banquet finally began.

The maids filed in, carrying steaming dishes, which filled the large round table made of rosewood in the room.

The old lady sat in the main seat, with Duke Yu and Lady Pei sitting on either side.

The First Madam sat down with Ye'er to the left of Madam Pei, while the First Master, Second Master, and Third Master took their seats in turn, with Liu Wenying, Granny Wu, and others serving them on the side.

When he was half full, Pei Yaojun stood up with his wine glass in hand and raised it to Duke Yu.

"Father, let me offer you a toast."

"In the past, my son was willful and misbehaved, which made you angry. From now on, he will definitely restrain his temper and will not do it again."

As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a grudge that lasts overnight between father and son.

Duke Yu looked at him with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

Pei Yaojun has always been unruly and difficult to tame, so this is the first time he has been so calm and sensible.

Raising his wine cup, Duke Yu clinked it against his from a distance and said in a deep voice, "It's good that you understand. In the future, learn more from Dingxuan and Zeyu, and don't act impulsively anymore."

Pei Yaojun acknowledged and raised his glass to Pei Dingxuan, saying, "Brother, this is a toast to you."

Pei Dingxuan glanced at him, then picked up his cup and drank.

He raised his glass to Pei Zeyu again, "Second brother, a toast to you."

Pei Zeyu also drank it.

Madam Pei also pondered to herself.

It seems that the words I said to Liu Wenying a few days ago have finally worked.

That girl was indeed clever; she knew what she should and shouldn't do.

Jun'er stopped pressing the issue, presumably having heeded the advice.

"Now that you think this way, Jun'er, I'm relieved."

A few days ago, the Cheng family sent a letter saying that the engagement between the two families was canceled.

Although it's a regrettable matter, it's alright. Your mother will find you a good match in the future, someone from a similar social standing, gentle and virtuous.

Pei Yaojun, under the guise of offering a toast, did not respond.

The first thing he needs to learn is to control his emotions.

No longer stubborn, but retorting on the spot.

Madam Pei assumed he had tacitly agreed, so she smiled and turned to the old lady: "Mother, what do you say?"

The old lady looked around at her children and grandchildren, and picked up her teacup.

"As long as Jun'er is happy. As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, may our Pei family enjoy peace and prosperity year after year."

Led by the Duke of Yu, everyone stood up, raised their glasses in agreement, and laughter filled Mingxi Hall once again.

After the meal, Ye'er became the source of joy for the whole room.

He was wearing a bright red jacket and walked back and forth beside the old lady's knees.

After taking a few steps, he plopped down on the ground, not crying, but looking up with a toothless grin.

The First Madam sat to the side, shaking her head with a smile. The two wet nurses took turns helping him up, but as soon as they helped him up, he sat down again.

The old lady was amused by him and couldn't stop smiling. She put a sweet drink from the table into his mouth.

Ye'er then gulped it down, her mouth surrounded by glistening sugar water.

New Year's Eve passed quickly.

As night deepened, the Duke of Yu and his wife rose to take their leave.

Madam Pei covered the old lady's knees with a thin blanket, instructed Granny Wu to take good care of her, and gave instructions to several other maids before leaving with the Duke.

Ye'er was also sleepy from playing; her little head was nodding off, and her eyelids were drooping.

Wen Jingshu also took Ye'er back to Tinglan Courtyard first.

The room was initially crowded, and the air was easily mixed, so Liu Wenying led the other maids to line up in two rows outside the door.

Seeing that most people had left, Pei Yaojun also took the opportunity to get up and leave the house.

His eyes were bright, clearly indicating that he had something to say.

He wanted to ask her why she wouldn't take the jade pendant by her pillow with her, but instead left it behind.

"Liu Wenying, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.

Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu walked out together, and it was Pei Dingxuan who spoke.

"Grandmother is giving out lucky money to the servants to share in the joy. You don't need to stay here, go and get yours."

The maids were overjoyed. They bowed and thanked the master before entering the house.

Liu Wenying was no exception.

She had barely taken a step when she met Pei Yaojun's hesitant expression. She hurriedly lowered her head, pretending not to see him, and deliberately avoided any suspicion.

As Liu Wenying was about to step into the room with the other maids, her little finger, which was hanging by her side, was suddenly gently hooked.

It feels very light, but not insignificant.

Liu Wenying lowered her head and looked back. Pei Zeyu smiled and moved his lips, silently saying: Happy New Year.

Although there was no sound, Liu Wenying could hear his voice, which sounded like jade striking each other.

Fortunately, the subtle touch and eye contact were fleeting and went unnoticed by anyone.

Liu Wenying hunched her shoulders like a quail and stepped into the house.

…………